A humorous however embarrassing scenario performed out on the G7 Summit in Canada when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer by chance greeted South Korea’s newly elected President Lee Jae-myung’s interpreter because the president. This was a proper assembly association on Wednesday.
When Starmer walked up, he shook arms with the entrance man, realising instantly it was President Lee’s translator. He warmly welcomed the precise president standing subsequent to him. The confusion took solely seconds however captured the media’s consideration on the high-profile G7 assembly. Downing Avenue, although, waved experiences of the “handshake fake pas” as hyperbole.
Keir Starmer mistakenly shakes arms with a Korean interpreter as an alternative of the President of South Korea (2025) pic.twitter.com/OYDjij1aJ1
— insane moments in british politics (@PoliticsMoments) June 18, 2025
UK-South Korea Relations Bolstered
Although there was a momentary confusion, each the leaders reasserted their intention to deepen UK-South Korea ties. Starmer mentioned, “We share a sturdy partnership with South Korea, and we goal to take it additional.” He pointed to proposals to additional protection cooperation and push commerce offers. President Lee additionally concurred with the need of upgrading the bilateral commerce settlement. The assembly was part of the G7 outreach program, to which South Korea had been a particular visitor.
One other Trump Gaffe Second
The handshake blunder was not the one awkward second Starmer confronted in the course of the summit. A day earlier than, when he had a bilateral assembly with US President Donald Trump, Starmer was pressured to retrieve papers that had dropped from Trump’s desk. Justifying his motion, Starmer mentioned, “With Trump’s shut safety, it was easier for me to take them myself.”
In one other blunder, Trump inadvertently said America had reached a commerce settlement with the EU when he referred to the UK. Requested if Trump’s well being was the problem, Starmer refused to say something.
They’ve supplied a tongue-in-cheek, however barely embarrassing, apart to the G7 Summit, the place world leaders are wrestling with critical worldwide challenges.